Page 59 of The Moment Promised

The picture-perfect moment etches itself into my memory so I will never forgetthis. Finn’s graceful voice, the wind that embraces me, Authensville’s grand mountains…it’s something straight out of a romance novel.

Finn twirls me, and my laugh cascades all around us. It isn’t a graceful move like the ones in the movies. No, this one is chaotic and clumsy. I stumble over my own two feet. But I feel so beautiful the way Finn watches me.

His face is stoic, but with the slightest upturn in the corners of his lips; the kind of smile you wouldn’t notice unless you were searching for it. It’s captivating.

I let myself forget the future exists and get lost in the moment promised. Because right here, right now, Finn and I are no different than the couples surrounding us.

No one knows how hopelessly in love with him I am, and no one suspects he would feel any less for me. He looks at me like I’m the dream he never wants to wake from.

Or maybe that’s me, projecting.

A gust of wind picks up, and a shiver runs through my body.

“Let’s get you warmed up, love.” He wraps an arm around me, leading the way to the trail.

“Charlie’s Steakhouse seems promising.” Finn walks behind me, his arms blanket me, doing the best they can to keep me warm.

I can hardly focus on anything but where he touches me.

Who would’ve thought it could be socoldon a July night? Not me. The weather app on my phone told me it was sixty-two degrees, the equivalent to Florida’s winter.

“S-sure. It looks warm.” I chatter the words out.

We’ve been walking along a strip of small businesses and shops. This is the first restaurant we’ve come across.

“Come on, love,” he says, walking us toward the door.

The restaurant isn’t what you would see back home, that’s for sure. The place is like a log cabin inside, and we are immediately greeted by a deer head plastered to the wall.

A beautiful girl, who seems to be maybe a year or two younger than me, greets us with a welcoming voice. “Is it snowing out there or something? You’re turning blue.”

Finn squeezes me a little, and I melt into a puddle in his arms. He hasn’t released his hold on me since two miles back. “We’re from Florida, so we aren’t used to the nighttime chill. This one’s always cold, though.” He smiles down at me.

“We have a gas fireplace I can sit you near. We never have it on in July, but we can make an exception for the Floridians.” She grabs a couple menus and Finn and I follow behind her. “Do you guys walk around in bikinis all day, or is that a myth?”

I let out a genuine laugh. “Is that what people think?” I ask. “No, we usually wear thick jeans and heavy boots. Younever know when you’re going to have to kick away an angsty alligator.”

She turns around and narrows her eyes at me like she’s not sure if I’m being sarcastic or not.

“Kidding,” I finally say.

She laughs a contagious laugh. It wears off on Finn and me.

She guides us to a cozy booth, away from the other customers, and switches on the fireplace. The quiet is exactly what I needed.

I read her name tag. “Thanks, Chloe.”

“Don’t mention it. Oh, and I recommend the ribs, they’re what we’re known for.”

“But...shouldn’t you be known for steak?” I ask, confused. We are in asteakhouse, after all.

“We were a steakhouse about fifty years ago, when Charlie’s father, who’s also named Charlie, cooked the steak. When Charlie Jr. took over his dad’s business, the only thing he knew how to make at restaurant level were ribs.”

I cock my head in confusion. “Why not change the name?”

“Charlie doesn’t want to deal with rebranding the place, besides, it’s the town’s hotspot. Rebranding could set long-time customers off. Believe me, you don’t want to mess with these people when it comes to their beloved steakhouse.”

“Do you guys have steak?” Finn asks.

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